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Monday, October 18, 2010

At Home

From top:Fresh plums from the Santa Monica Farmers' Market...A wonderfully warm 100% wool throw woven in Argentina, from luxurious brand Alta Pampa. So expensive but so worth it - as I may be moving very soon to a freezing cold place, I really need this...Bill's Bees is a tiny local Los Angeles company that offers, in addition to honey, a few all-natural natural skincare products such as this magical almond-scented balm.

I still have in by bed a pure wool blanket form Uruguay that is something like 35 years old ... and it's so warm and looks so well! That quality is no longer available and I was interested in finding a similar product. So I couldn't resist but visitng the website of Alta Pampa and must confess I did dnot find the items and the prices. Can you help me?

LAURA - I'm not sure Alta Pampa makes blankets; what I have is a throw, which is smaller.The website does not offer direct sales to clients, and I guess that's why you can't find the items and prices there. I guess the only way to get their stuff is to visit a boutique that carries them.

I'm planning to make a plum tart tomorrow so my fruit bowl is also full of them. The throw seems like such a wonderful thing for those long evenings so I can understand you investing in it. Sorry to hear you suffer with the cold. I'm the opposite as heat kills me. Unfortunately Berlin is freezing in the winter and boiling in the summer but like you, I think when an opportunity comes your way or you love a place, you have to follow your heart. Hope it all works out for you.

You know which plums I miss so much? Well, I'll tell you anyway (I'm beginning to behave like Giulia which is not a good sign.) Mirabelles. The real ones from Alsace. Mimph. I saw some last year, as I recall they were the price of rare orchids. Of course, I can make plum tarte, preserves, etc. from other plums. It's a memory thing (like madeleines for some). xo

Cher Mary-Laure,I am so excited for you! I love living in California - but - although I am one of the "perpetually cold ones", I love the East...and snow is beautiful and magical. You have your wraps - you have your hats and boots - there is always hot cocoa and lovely pastries to warm you! And you can buy many adorable "jackets" for Benjy....so...Mon Dieu - go and experience another adventure! I am feeling the same sort of pull to the East.....

GIULIA - oh yes, MIRABELLES! They are so fabulously good and sweet! You're making me miss them.

ROBIN - thank you so much for the positive "spin". It's true that the snow is very beautiful. Also, this is going to be an excuse to indulge and shop big time - after a couple of years in California, I don't have a single sweater or pair of boots!!!

I am also attracted by this wool throw. Their website is beautifully styled. I particularly like the picture of some wool on the back of a horse.

As for enduring the cold damp winters in Paris, my goose edredon from Alsace is irreplaceable. I love sleeping under its weight in feathers. So heavy and warm. I know where we can buy another from a French ebayer if needed in your future northern outpost...

I am sure this nice woman would ship to Canada. She made a point to tell me that her vintage(but in exquisite condition) edredon was made with geese raised in Alsace! You won't believe how heavy and warm it is. Benjy will be HOT HOT HOT.

the beeswax balm will be an essential for your hands in cold weather. i have learned from experience living in canada. also i would recommend a wool duvet. because of the properties of wool its actually great year round depending where you are moving. i just moved to prince edward island for the winter so im in prep mode too~laura x